What Is 2007 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2007 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating was a series of six international senior-level events held from October to November 2007, culminating in the Grand Prix Final in Turin, Italy, on December 13–16, 2007, featuring top skaters in men's, ladies', pairs, and ice dance disciplines.

Key Facts

The 2007 ISU Grand Prix series consisted of six events held between October 18 and November 18, 2007
Skaters earned points based on placement to qualify for the Grand Prix Final in Turin, Italy
The 2007 Grand Prix Final took place from December 13 to 16 in Turin, Italy
Evgeni Plushenko won the men's title at the Final with a record score of 249.14 points
Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov won the pairs event with 191.55 points

Overview

The 2007 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating was the 13th edition of the Grand Prix series, organized by the International Skating Union. It featured six international invitational events across different countries, leading to a season-ending Grand Prix Final for the top six point-earners in each discipline.

Held from October to November 2007, the series included events in countries such as Canada, France, Germany, Russia, Japan, and the United States. Skaters competed in men's singles, ladies' singles, pairs, and ice dance, earning points based on their placements to qualify for the Final.

Event Duration: The series spanned from October 18 to November 18, 2007, with each competition lasting approximately one week.
Final Location: The 2007 Grand Prix Final was hosted in Turin, Italy, from December 13–16, marking the first time Italy hosted the event since 2004.
Disciplines Included: The competition featured four disciplines: men's singles, ladies' singles, pairs, and ice dance, each with separate scoring and qualification paths.
Scoring System: Skaters earned points based on placement (e.g., 1st = 15 points, 2nd = 13, etc.), with only the top six in each category advancing.
Notable Winner:Evgeni Plushenko claimed the men's title at the Final, scoring a then-record 249.14 points under the ISU Judging System.

How It Works

The ISU Grand Prix series operates on a cumulative point system, where skaters compete in two of six designated events and qualify for the Final based on total points earned. Each event follows the ISU Judging System, with technical and component scores determining placements.

Qualification: Skaters are invited based on prior season results; each competes in two events to accumulate points for Final qualification.
Scoring Format: The ISU Judging System uses technical elements and program components scored separately, with deductions for errors.
Point Allocation: Placements earn points: 1st = 15, 2nd = 13, 3rd = 11, 4th = 9, 5th = 7, 6th = 5; skaters must place in the top six to earn points.
Final Qualification: Only the top six scorers in each discipline advance to the Grand Prix Final, regardless of how many events they won.
Event Rotation: The six Grand Prix events—Skate America, Skate Canada, Cup of China, Trophée Éric Bompard, Cup of Russia, NHK Trophy—rotate host countries annually.
Tiebreakers: In case of point ties, the higher placement in the later event or best total score breaks the tie.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2007 Grand Prix events, including locations, dates, and notable winners:

Event	Dates	Location	Men's Winner	Ladies' Winner
Skate America	Oct 18–21	Highland, USA	Evan Lysacek	Carolina Kostner
Skate Canada	Oct 25–28	Quebec City, Canada	Jeff Buttle	Mao Asada
Cup of China	Nov 2–4	Beijing, China	Takahiko Kozuka	Mao Asada
Trophée Éric Bompard	Nov 15–18	Paris, France	Evgeni Plushenko	Sarah Meier
Cup of Russia	Nov 22–25	Moscow, Russia	Evgeni Plushenko	Yuna Kim

The 2007 series highlighted the dominance of Russian and Japanese skaters, with Evgeni Plushenko winning both his events decisively. Yuna Kim's victory in Moscow signaled her emergence as a top contender, while Mao Asada won two events, showcasing her technical prowess. The geographic diversity of the events allowed global exposure and competitive balance across continents.

Why It Matters

The 2007 ISU Grand Prix played a crucial role in shaping the competitive season, serving as a qualifier for the World Championships and offering ranking points, prize money, and international prestige. It also provided a platform for rising stars to challenge established champions.

World Championship Qualifier: Strong Grand Prix performances helped skaters secure berths for their countries at the 2008 World Championships.
Prize Money: Each Grand Prix event offered up to $100,000 in prize money, distributed across disciplines based on placement.
Exposure: The series was broadcast in over 40 countries, increasing the global visibility of figure skating.
Technical Benchmark: Scores from these events were used to refine training strategies ahead of the Olympics and Worlds.
Emerging Talent: Skaters like Yuna Kim and Patrick Chan used the 2007 series to announce their arrival on the world stage.
Historical Significance: Evgeni Plushenko's 249.14-point score was the highest recorded under the ISU system at the time, setting a new benchmark.

The 2007 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating not only determined the season's early leaders but also influenced training, rankings, and national selections, making it a cornerstone of the competitive skating calendar.